Time to Upgrade my Clothing
 

I have used the some of the same cold weather clothes for around 15 years now and I'm wondering where I should concentrate on upgrading for this coming season. Here is a detail of what I currently where in cold temperatures (northern Illinois and Wisconsin):

- Base layer - X System Lightweight Pants and Shirt. On really cold days I will add a layer of Duofold Polyolefin Long Underwear over the top.

- Next Layer - Usually a pair of camo pants (not insulated) and a flannel shirt

- Top Layer - A Gamhide three piece suit (coveralls, and two piece jacket). I bought this from Galyans (now Dick's) about 15 years ago. It's very bulky.

- Boots - Usually wear Irish Setter 800 gram thinsulate boots that are probably ten years old. When sitting on a stand I will add boot heaters inside and on really cold days I have bulky boot blankets that go over the top.

- Head - Usually wear a fleece bacalava.

- Hands - Usually a pair of light thinsulate gloves. I then have a hand muff with a hand heater inside that I sue.

I know there have been huge advances in technology when it comes to clothes. Ideally I'd like clothes that aren't as bulky/heavy that are as warm as possible. Thanks in advance!

Cabela's just came out with a new "line", they call "Instinct".

See link;

http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/searc...ucts&x=16&y=12

I would look at merino base layers and either merino or a product like polar-fleece as an insulator. The merino will manage moisture as well as add warmth. Depends on you budget, though, as it can get kind of pricey.

I've been researching and have decided on Minus 33 Marino Wool for a base layer and either ArcticShield of IWOM for outer layer. Any opinions?

I own a few pieces of Minus 33 clothing, in particular a long-sleeve undershirt that I love. They clearance a little bit of their stuff through their own website and I think on Amazon--if you're not too picky about color. It's good quality stuff. I'm not familiar with the other 2. I also have some light weight merino underlayers from Core4element, which are fine (especially for the price, as you can sometimes find them on pretty good sale). First Lite and Smartwool have good reputations, but I can't really comment, except on a pair of Smartwool socks I have.

If you got the "dough" - take a look here;

http://www.lintonoutdoors.com/russel-outdoors-apx/

You could also check out this unique product for cold weather hunting here:

www.huntersapron.com

It's less than the full body suits but still pretty effective.

You will find the Minus 33 Marino Wool base layer very suitable to your purpose. As was pointed out, it manages dampness well and is warm when wet. It is very comfortable. It doesn't smell like synthetic base layers have a tendency to do after you wear them a few days.

I would avoid cotton fabric, as it gets wet and retains wetness easily. You said in the past you wore flannel shirts. Look for a wool shirt to exchange with the flannel shirt. Pendleton wool shirts are great but expensive. You can sometimes find them on-line used for cheap.

I like to wear a heavy wool vest over a wool shirt (which is itself over the layer of Minus 33 Marino Wool base layer). The vest provides a lot of freedom of movement and feels warm. One thing I believe about wool is that it has a wide temperature comfort range.

I also like to wear medium weight wool pants -- M-51 Army Surplus wool pants that can be found on-line pretty cheap.

When it is cold I wear a Cabela's Dry Plus insulated parka (actually an "anarak" -- a pull-over without a zipper) over all the other stuff. If I'm too cold with all that on, then I just don't go out hunting. I hunt at 11,000 feet elevation in SW Colorado in mid-October. Mornings are often 15 degrees, but can get colder. It you are moving around, of course, there is less of a problem staying warm. It is when you stop and sit down for an hour or more that the cold starts to creep in.

as stated if your flannel has or is cotton ditch it!